Machine for embossing and printing.



No. 698,034.- Patented Apr. 22, I902.

- C. E. MAAS MACHINE FOR ENIBOSSING AND PRINTING.

[Application filed Dec; 10. 1897.:

(No Model.)

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' No. 698,034. Patented Apr. 22, I902.

' I I C. E. MAAS.

MAGHINE'FUR EMBOSSING AND PRINTING.

(Application filed Dec. '10, 1897.;

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(No Model.)

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. WITNESSES I WENTYOR I Attorney p4: upnms PETERS ccgf ndraumon WA SfilNGTOfl, n at No. 698,034. Patented Apr. 22, 1902.

- c; 1;. MAAS.

MACHINE FOR EMBOS SING AND PRINTINQ.

' (Application filed Dec. 10. 1897,;

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PathtedApr. 22, |902- c. E. MAAS. 1 MACHINE FOR E'msossme AND PRINTING.

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(Application filed Dec. I0, 1897) I H lk?! m: NGRRIS PETERS co.. mo'mumu, wnwucmu. n c,

(No Model.)

WITNESSES fie? UNmEo STATES PATENT FQFFICE.

CHARLES E. MAAS, OF RIDLEY PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- l-IALF TO F. B. GREENE, OF GERMANTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE FOR EIVIBOSSINGAND PRINTING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 698,034, dated April. 22, 1902.

Application filed December 10,1897. Serial No. 661,352. (No model.)

To ztZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. MAAS, a resident of Ridley Park, in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Machines for Embossing and Printing; and

I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

I My invention relates to an improvementin machines for embossing and printing.

By the machines now in general use embossing and printing on paper or other material are generally accomplished substantially by some one of the following methods: By one method the design is first printed on any suitable press and is afterward embossed as a secondary and subsequent proc- 2o ess. The embossing may be accomplished by a platen-press with direct flat pressure. 'It may be done by a cylinder which revolves in contact with a flat traveling bed, the latter carrying or itself constituting a die, while the cylinder acts as a counter-die. It may be produced by the contact of two revolving cylinders acting, respectively, as die and counter-die. By another method both the printing and embossing are done at one operation,

the die being inked either by hand or by some mechanical device; but in practically all machines used to effect this double result, both the printing and embossing are produced by direct flat pressure, such as is employed in any platen-press.

By myimproved machine both printingand embossing are accomplished simultaneously and at a single operation as a result of the pressure exerted between the convex surfaces of two cylindrical rollers rotating one above the other and in opposite directions. To the surface of the upper cylindrical roller is adjusted a die, which is curved to conform to this surface, from which it may be removed and upon which it may be replaced by other similarly-curved dies. The counter-die for the purpose of accurate adjustment or register, as is hereinafter described, is preferably supported upon a flexible sheet of thin metal. This sheet of metal may be curved to conform to the surface of the lower cylindrical roller of which it then forms a part or it may be carried in a horizontal position across and above the lower cylinder. In either case contact between the die and the counter-die is produced by the pressure exerted between the surfaces of the two rotating cylindrical rollers. In either case also the counterdie may be removed and replaced by such other counter-dies as may be required by the change of dies upon the upper cylindrical roller. In order to allow the operator-opportunity between two successive contacts of the die and counter-die to feed the paper or other material to be thus printed and embossed and to remove the same when the result has been accomplished, the surface to which the die is attached constitutes only a portion of the complete periphery of a cylinder. The segment thus employed measures about one-third of the whole circumference. Two-thirds of the time required for a complete rotation are thus allowed for feeding and removing the paper or other material which is tobe printed and embossed.

In combination with the die, the counterdie, and the cylindrical rollers above described I use an inking-roller and fountain, mechanisms for cleaning and polishing the die, and other devices necessary for the operations of printing and embossing, which are shown in the drawings and described in the following specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is aviewin side elevation of the machine. Fig.

2 is a similar view with the side plate of the frame removed. Fig. 3 is an end view. Fig.

4 is a view of the opposite end. Fig. 5 is a plan view. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13,14, 9o 15, and 16 are details; and Fig. 17 is an ele- I vation of a portion of the machine, illustrating a modification.

The frame A, which is the counterpart of the opposite side A, is made of cast-iron and 5 I in form and shape substantially as here shown. These sides arecast withbosses and lugs, which are used in the construction of the journal-boxes or as supports for the various working parts of the machine. The sides are I00 connected by the braces a and a, (see Figs. 2 and 5,) by the rods b, b, and 12 which pass through the sides of the frame and are secured by the nuts 0, 0, 0 0 o", 0 and o (see Figs. 2 and 3) and by the different operating-shafts of the machine. The frame is bolted to a table or bench of suitable heightforthe proper operation of the machine, or the lower part of the castings may be sufficiently extended to raise the machine the required distance above the floor.

The upper segmental cylinder-roller B is constructed as shown. The segment B has a superficial area equal to about one-third of the complete area of a cylinder of the same diameter. On the side of the shaft B opposite to the segment B is placed a counterbalance B The surface of the segment B is provided with dovetailed slots (Z, Figs. 6, 7, and S, which are designed to hold the cleats c, Figs. 9 and 10, by which the die 0 is fastened to the segment 13*.

I do not wish to limit myself to any particular arrangement of the dovetailed slots nor to a particular form of cleat, as both may be varied to suit the requirements of different kinds of work.

The die C, as hereinbefore stated, is separate and removable and maybe replaced upon the segmental cylinder-roller by other dies. It is constructed of brass, steel, or othersuitable material and is curved to conform to the surface of the segment 13 On either end of the segment B is a gear-segment B and B the teeth of which engage with those of racks I) and D Figs. 2 and 5. These racks are attached to the upper longitudinal margins of the movable table D. In order that the teeth of the segmental roller 13 and those of the racks D and D may engage properly, a search-tooth B is attached to one end of the gear-segment B. This coming in contact with the pinfcauses the teeth to engage and the table D to move.

The table D is provided with a rectangular aperture D Fig. 5, corresponding in length and widthto the dimensions of the segment B The table moves forward and backward in the ways D D. Motion is at first imparted by the gearing of the racks with the teeth of the upper segmental roller, as EtbOWe described. The return motion is infected by weights g and g or some equivaent.

In the construction shown in Fig. 2 the form of the lower cylindrical roller Eis similar to that of the upper roller 13. The counterbalance E is so placed as to assist the weights 9 and g in causing the table to return to the position shown in Fig. 2. The gearing E and E (see Fig. 16) at the ends of the cylinder form in each case a nearly-complete spur-wheel, so that the teeth may be always engaged with those of the racks D and D which are attached to the longitudinal margins of the table D on its lower side. Conforming to and completely covering the surface of the segment E is a sheet of thin steel, brass, or other suitable metal It. This sheet is secured to the segment E along its transverse edge E, but is not otherwise fastened. Upon this thin metal sheet the counter-die C is placed. The counter-die is composed of any suitable substance capable of producing or receiving a reverse or counter of the die 0 and is attached to the sheet h by the adhesion of its own substance or by any suitable cement. In adjusting the counter-die O and in determining the distance to which it shall extend above the metal sheet h a piece of paper or other material of the same thickness as that to be printed and embossed is placed between the surface of the lower segment E and the metal sheet h and below the counter-die O. lVhen proper contact is thus secured between the die 0 and the counterdie 0, the removal of the paper which was placed below the metal sheet will allow the requisite space between the die C and counterdie G for the paper or other material which is to be printed and embossed. If for any reason proper contact is not secured, the operator prepares an underlay upon the surface of the lower segment E and thus secures the requisite amount of impression.

When the construction shown in Fig. 17 is employed, the lower roller is a complete cylinder. Two sheets of metal 7t and IL2 are secured to the forward end of the table D, but are not otherwise fastened to it. These sheets extend backward under the table throughout its entire length and rest upon the lower cylinder E. On the upper of these metal sheets h and within the aperture D of the table is placed a metal block D which is attached to the upper flexible sheet h by bolts or screws 11 i Upon this block the counter-die O is fastened by cement or other suitable means. In adjusting the counter-die C for proper contact with the die 0 paper or an underlay is placed between the upper and the lower flexible sheets, substantiallyas described for similar adjustment in the previous construction. As the lower cylinder rotates by contact with the lower metal sheet 71 no teeth are used at the ends of .the cylinder, and the racks D and D on the table D become unnecessary. The shaft B is the main driving-shaft and is operated by the belt F which passes around the fast and loose pulleys F and F. On the opposite end of this shaft is a double pulley G. From the outer part of this pulley a belt H passes to the pulley H for operating a web or ribbon of paper used in polishing the die C. From the inner part of the same pulley G a belt 1 passes to the pulleys I and J, which operate the in k-roller K and the wiping-roller J.

The shaft of the ink-roller K (see Fig. 3) passes through a wooden sleeve or core 76, which is covered with soft bristles or with a fabric of pile-such, for example, as plush 7c. The ink-fountain M, Figs. 2, 13, and i l, is provided with an adjustable cover M, which acts as a doctor or scraper to remove any surplus of ink. This cover is adjusted by the set-screws m and m, which force it down against springs, one of which, m is shown in Figs. 2 and 14. Proper contact of the inkroller K with the surface of the die 0 is secured and controlled by moving the journalboxes K by means of the draw-bolts K and K The wooden sleeve or core 7c of the inkroller slides easily over the shaft K and has a slot which locks with the pin k causing the core is to revolve with the shaft K. The end of the shaft K opposite to that upon which the pulley I is fixed passes through the side of the frame A. Upon this end of the shaft K a thread is cut, and the shaft is held in position by a nut 7& This out has a sleeve which passes through side of the frame A and rests against the end of the core It. By removing the nut 7.2 the shaft K may be easily withdrawn throughthe side of the frame A whenever it is desirable to clean or re-cover the ink-roller.

The wiping-roller L is covered with any elastic composition suitable for removing the ink from the face of the die 0. It is mounted in a box N, similar to theink-fountain M, and is provided with an ad justable coverN. This cover acts as a scraper and removes the strippings, which are caught in the box N. The cover N is adjusted, like the cover of the inkfonntain M, by means of the set-screws n and n and springs if. The elastic composition e of the roller is formed upon a core 0, which is a piece of metal tubing sliding easily over the shaft L and having a slot Z which-locks with the pin Z causing the sleeve 1 to revolve with the shaft L. The end of the shaft L which passes through the side of the frame A is secured by the nut 1*, which is like the nut 70 on the ink-roller. The wiping-roller may be easily withdrawn by the removal of this nut l It will be observed that the shafts K and L pass through sleeves mounted in the frame, and by the removal of the sleeves the shafts can be removed, notwithstanding the pins 7c and Z When the sleeves are removed and the shafts drop to the bottom of the holes in the frame formerly occupied by the sleeves, the shafts,with the pins projecting therefrom, can be readily removed. Proper contact of the wiping-roller with the die O is secured by means of the draw-bolts L and L The belt I, which passes around the pulleys I and J of the ink-roller and the wiping-roller, by passing also around the idle pulley 0 causes both the ink-rollerK and the wiping-roller J to turn in the same direction.

The pulley H on the shaft S is a loose pulley. The disk R is keyed to the shaft S. Through the pulley H pass the set-screws r and 1", which are in contact with the springs to and to, Figs. 3 and 12. By proper adjustment of these springs sufficient friction is produced between the pulley H and the disk R to cause the shaft S to turn when the strain exerted by the polishing-paper p, Fig. 2, is removed. On the inner side of the disk R is a ratchet B. When this ratchet turns in the same direction as that of the loose pulley H,

its teeth slide over the pawl R which immediately arrests any tendency of the ratchetR or of the shaft S to turn in' the opposite'direction.

The flanges U and U, core u, constitute one of the two rolls upon whichthepolishing-paperpiswound. These flanges U and U are movable longitudinally uponthe shaft'S. They may; however, be

.securely attached to the shaft S and may be together with the.

ley H by the nut P. By removing this nut the shaft may be quickly withdrawn and replaced in making adjustments of the paperroll. I The shaft T is constructed, like the shaft S, with a spline t,.in which by means of the set screws '0. and v the flanges V and V may be securely fastened to the shaft T. The shaft. T is secured at the end opposite the disk Q By removing this nut the by the nut Q. shaftmay be readily withdrawn. On the end of this shaft T which passes through the side of the frame Ais a disk Q, provided with the springs j and j and the set'screws q and q. By the adjustment of these springs sufficient friction is produced between the disk Q and the side of the frame A to prevent any rotation of the shaft T except when the polishingpaper is being unwound from the roll formed by the flanges V and V. and the core 11;. This too adjustable roll is the counterpart of that used on the shaft S. Upon the core o is wound a web or ribbon of paper 12, which is first carried over the revolving sleeve 0 on the rod cl. able head X, around the sleeves c, e and 03, which surround the rod 1), the shaft b and the rod 12 From the sleeve 0 the paper p is carried to the roll on the shaft S, upon which it is rewonnd. Between 0 and c it comes in contact with the die 0 as it revolves upon the segment B The movable head X (see Figs. 4 and 12) has at the top a rod 00, upon which is suspended a hanger 0c. The lower edge m of this hanger is tipped with rubber. Through the holes y and 1 pass the guides Y and Y, upon which the head X slides. ing-pins X and X pass through slots 2, Fig. 2, in the lever-arms Z and Z. fastened by keys to the shaft 12 On this shaft 1 b is also an adjustable extension Z to the lever-arm Z. By means of the slot 2 and the bolt 2 Fig. 2, this adjustable extension Z may be securely attached to the lever-arm Z. The position in which the arm Z and the extension Z are united along the slot 2 determines the angle at which the lower part of the ad- The connect- These arms are justable extension Z projects downward. This lower projection is so placed that it comes in contact with the search-tooth 13 during the revolution of the cylindrical roller B. The search-tooth B (see dotted lines, Fig. 2) pushes forward the lever-arm extension Z causinga corresponding movement of the arm Z. The amount of this throw depends upon the adjustment of the arm Z and its extension Z As the arms Z and Z move they carry with them the movable head X along the guides Y and Y. The hanger a0 is so suspended that when the arms move from c toward c the paper 13 is grasped between the rubber edge of the hanger :0 and the bottom of the head X and is carried a distance equal to the throw of the arm Z. hen the extension Z is released from contact with the search-tooth B it returns to the position it occupied before contact by means of the force exerted by the spring 2 As the arms Z and Z and the head X are thus carried back to their original position the hanger 00' releases its hold on the paper 19 and slides over it.

The operations are as follows: The curved embossing-die O is fixed upon the surface of the segment B of the upper segmental cylinder-roller B. By means of this die 0 a counter-die C or C is formed in any proper material which is placed upon a flexible metal sheet It or h in contact with the lower cylindrical roller E or E Motion and power are communicated by the belt F As the die 0 passes the ink-roller K ink is supplied to the die 0, and as it passes the wiping-roller L surplus ink is removed from the face of the die. As the die C is passing under the web or ribbon of polishing-paper p the arm z'is set in motion by the search-tooth B. Paper is drawn from the roll on the shaft T and wound on the roll on the shaft S. This paper polishes the die 0 and insures perfect cleanliness before it reaches the paper or other material to be embossed and printed. The length of polishing-paper moved at each revolution of the cylindrical roller B should be proportionate to the width of the die 0 and is regulated, as already explained, by the adjustment of the arm Z and its extension Z When one side of the paper web has been used for polishing, the reverse or clean side of the paper may be utilized by removing the roll of paper on its core a from shaft S, by sliding it on the shaft T in place of the core 1), and by connecting the end of the paper properly with a core on the shaft S. The paper or other material to be embossed and printed is placed upon the table D at the left in Figs. 1, 2, or 17 and is fed over the opening D which, with the exception of a sufficient aperture for the die 0, may be covered with paper, cardboard, or thin metal, upon which the operator arranges his guides for feeding. As the die 0 and the counterdie C or C meet the paper or other material eespse is caught between them. When they have passed each other, the process of embossing and printing is completed, and as the table D returns to the position from which it started the paper or other material thus embossed and printed is removed by the operator.

Without limiting myself to the precise construction or arrangement of details in the parts shown and described, I claim and desire to cover by Letters Patent 1. In an embossing and printing machine, the combination with a die, of two rollers, a polishing strip wound on said rollers and adapted to bear between its ends on said die, means for moving said die in one direction, and means for intermittingly moving the polishing-strip and means for automatically rotating one of said rollers to cause the polishing-strip to be wound thereon, substantially as set forth.

2. In a rotary embossing and printingmachine, the combination with two segmental rotary carriers, a convex segmental die removably secured to one of said segmental carriers, and a removable counter-die carried by the other segmental carrier, of an inkingroller, an elastic inking-roller for said die, a polishing-paper means for moving over and in contact with said convex die, rollers on which said polishing-paper is wound, and means for automatically rotating one of said rollers, substantially as set forth.

3. In an embossing and printing machine, the combination with the embossing and printing die, of a polishing-strip, and vibratory means for drawing a limited and predetermined quantity thereof across the said die, and an automatic take-upfor keeping the strip taut.

4:. In an embossing-machine, the combination with a die-carrier and a die, of a polishing-strip and means operated automatically by the die-carrier for drawing a limited and predetermined quantity of said polishingstrip across the die.

5. The combination with a revoluble diecarrier and a die, of a polishing-paper strip, means for causing said strip to make contact with and move across the die, a gripping device, devices intermediate of the die-carrier and gripping device for operating the latter to draw a predetermined amount of polishing-paper across the die, and means for adjusting said intermediate devices for regulating the amount of strip to be drawn across the die at each operation of said intermediate devices, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES E. MAAS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE W. SELTZER, M. REonvEUR. 

